Psalm 119:158

Psalm 119:158

Loathing the faithless?

Phew, the author is not attempting to be polite here, is he! He really does despise those who do not believe in God’s Word. Let’s just clear something up before we move on; the usual Hebrew for “word” in this Psalm, is “dabar” which is a general description of God’s revelations to us. Most of the Scripture is His “dabar.” Here, in v158, the psalmist uses the word “imrah” which is translated “promise.” So, we have a God who has poured out abundant and multiple promises upon the inhabitants of the earth. The consequences of obeying Him are that He fulfils all He has promised, so there is every reason for all mankind to boast that their “cup runs over”. But, humanity, being rebellious and unbelieving, chooses to ignore God’s promises and to do things their way. These are the faithless and most have no intention of changing their attitude or their beliefs.

The psalmist is scathing and highly critical of the faithless ones, we can imagine him squirming with anger, “How dare they reject what God has promised? How dare they live in disobedience and open rebellion? Who do they think they are?” I don’t think that this is a self-righteous man speaking, I think there is genuine anger at the rejection of the Lord God and also a loathing of those who lead others astray with their outright and deliberate dismissal of God’s promises. 

Is there a place for us to loathe those who reject the Lord God today? We tend to console ourselves with the thought that, “Oh well, they’re the ones who are missing out!” But it goes deeper than that, those who reject God’s Word reject Him, and if we are His children, should that not make us angry? Are we not entitled to detest the really wicked who live their lives in public defiance of the Lord and all that He stands for? God loves us all so much that He would give His life for us, and most people care so little that they would spit on His sacrifice and blaspheme His Name. How dare they despise our Father who is the Lord Most High, is that not a good reason for us to pray that He should loathe them? Doesn’t sit well though, does it? I have a feeling that He still loves them!

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